our sins with all their several aggravating circumstances Q. What is Petition A. The offering up of our desires to God Q. To whom are we to direct our Prayers A. To God only Q. Why are we to direct our Prayers only to God A. 1. Because Prayer is such a speciaâ— part of religious worship that it is sometimes in holy Writ put for the whole worship of God and God is the only object of religious worship 2. Because God only is omniscient and omnipresent to know our wants and hear our Prayers 1 Kings 8. 38 39. Psal. 34. 15. Isa. 63. 16. 3. Because the Title of a Hearer of Prayers is one of Gods Peculiars and that glory which he will not give to any other 4. It is Paganism and gross Idolatry to give so principal a part of divine worship and to do service to them that by nature are no Gods Gal. 4 8. 5. Because God only is Almighty and can answer our Prayers he is All-sufficient and will fulfill all our Petitions Q. Are therefore forbidden to Pray to Saints and Angels A. We are forbidden to Pray to them upon pain of Gods high displeasure and such punishments as he will inflict upon all such as shall contemn or neglect their known duty to him by intruding into those things which they have not seen Exod. 20. 5. and 34. 14. Col. 2. 18. Q. The Papists please themselves and condemn Protestants in point of Praying to Saints and Angels as Intercessors to God as if there were some special humility in so doing Have they any ground for this Doctrine A. They search into those things which they know nothing of and have no other ground for this Doctrine but their own carnal Phantasie Col. 2. 18. Q. For what must we make our addresses to God in Prayer or offer up our desires to him A. For things agreeable to his Will Q. How shall we know what things are agreeable to the Will of God A. By the written Word the Commandments and Promises of it Q In whose Name must we Pray A. In the Name of Christ Q. What mean you by that A. For Christs sake and worthiness Q. Doth not the Romish Divinity say plainly that there are some Saints and Martyrs who have suffered more than their sins did deserve and that their superabundant satisfactions are put into the Treasury of the Church and distributed by the Popes Indulgences A. Yes Q The Papists with one hand lay hold on the Merits of Christ but with the other they lay hold on the Merits of Saints and Martyrs Can they deny this A. They cannot deny it For before God and his Angels their Priests when they sing Mass Pray unto God not only through the Merits of Jâ—sus Christ but also through the Merits of Saints whose Reliques are under the Altar Q. Do not their Devotoes the more superstitiously devout Papists publickly assert that the holy Virgin saves us and brings us into heavenly glory not only by her Prayers but also by her Merits A. Yes Q. Doth not this Opinion of theirs border upâ—n Blasphemy A. Yes Q. Are there not in Rome it self published certain Indulgences By the Prayers and by the Merits of the holy Virgin Mary of Michael the Archangel of St. John Baptist of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul and of all the Saints without any mention at all of Iesus Christ or his Merits A. Yes Q. And is not this egregious horrid Sacriledge A. Yes Q. Are we therefore to Pray to the Father in the Name of Christ and in his Name only A. Yes Q. Why so A. 1. Because none but Christ were ever called to the honour of an everlasting Priest-hood to appear in the presence of God for us And it would be sinful in us to imagine the Saints or Angels to usurp an Office and assume to themselves that honour they were never called unto by God as Christ was 2. Because he alone is able to save us to the utmost and seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for us presenting himself before God and that one once offered perfect Sacrifice for sin for us we should much derogate from the sufficiency of Christs undertakings to suppose any need of the Intercession of Saint or Angels Q. And what is the third part of Prayer A. Thanksgiving Q. What is Thanksgiving A. The thankful acknowledgement of and a faithful rendring unto God the praise that is due unto his Name Q. 99. What rule hath God given for our direction in Prayer A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in Prayer but the special rule of Direction is that Form of Prayer which Christ taught his Disciples commonly called the Lords Prayer Explic. Q. What is generally useful for our direction in Prayer A. The whole Word of God Q. But have we not left us upon Record some special rule for our direction in Prayer A. Yes the Lords Prayer Matth. 6. Luke 11. Q. Why is that Form recorded in the Gospels called the Lords Prayer A. Because the Lord Jesus taught it his Dâ—sciples Luke 11. 1 2. Q. Of what use is the Lords Prayer A. To direct us in Prayer Q. Is it only of use to direct us in Prayer A. No. Q. Is not the saying the very words of the Lords Prayer commended unto us if not commanded A. Yes Luke Chap. 11. 2. hath it When ye Pray say Our Father c. Q. What kind of Forms may our Prayers be presented in A. Either in set or extemporary unprescribed Forms Q. Are set Forms of Prayer lawful A. Set Forms of Prayer are lawful both as the word Set signifies premeditate limited Forms as opposed to extemporary and as it signifies prescribed and for some occasions and uses commanded Q. How do you prove it lawful to use a set determinate Form of words either written or fastened in our memory A. It is apparent both by the example of Christ who in St. Luke bids us when we pray say Our Father c. Not only pray after this Pattern as the words in St. Matthew may be interpreted but use these very words When you pray say Our Father c Luke 11. 2. and of Iohn Baptist who taught his Disciples to pray in some Form though we know not what it is Luke 11. 1. As also of the Priests under the Law by Gods appointment that used a Set Form of blessing the People Numb 6. 24 c. And of our Saviour himself who used a a part if not the whole of the 22. Psalm upon the Cross My God my God why hast thou forsaken me c. And of the Church of the Jews and Christian Churches through all times who have had their Liturgies as waies and Forms of serving God publickly and as means to preserve the true Religion from all corruptions in Doctrine And to these Arguments may be aded one more of common observation that even when the Minister or whosoever is
AN Explicatory Catechism OR AN EXPLANATION OF THE ASSEMBLIES SHORTER Catechism WHEREIN Those Principles are enlarged upon especially which obviate the great and growing Errors of Popery useful for those Families that desire to hold fast the Form of sound words Aug. lib. 15. de Trin. Cap. ult Domine Deus quaecunque dixi de tuo agnoscant tui Siqua de meo tu ignosce tui London Printed for Henry Mortlock at the Phoenix in St. Paul's Church-yard and White-Hart in Westminster Hall 1675. To the Christian Reader especially Heads of Families THose Catechisms may very well be esteemed the best which are Explanatory of the Creed ten Commandments and the Lords Prayer because these Summaries or Abstracts contain the Essentials of the true Religion or those choice truths which God would have us take extraordinary notice of in our course of reading the holy Scriptures And therefore those that begin with Catechizing begin the most easie and profitable way for any because the weightier matters of the Law are not hard to be understood and such words being Spirit and Life and the very marrow of Christianity must needs feed and nourish us up unto eternal life I have fixed my thoughts upon the Assemblies shorter Catechism because the Principles in it are mostly agreed upon by all sober intelligent unprejudiced Protestant Divines You have also something of the nature of the two Covenants superadded to or rather enlarged upon more particularly and expresly than in the Catechism And because Catechisms ought to contain nothing but received truths you have mostly the Explication of Antient and Modern Divines And therefore where you meet with any thing that is not so elaborate and exact you may conclude it mine and not theirs Hearing occasionally a Discourse of a very learned and godly Divine out of Deut. 6. 6 7. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children c. who recommended to Parents with the greatest earnestness the work of Catechizing I shall make bold to transcribe a part of it and offer it to publick view You shall have 1. His Reasons to prove that Parents ought diligently to Catechize or teach their Children Servants also included 2. His Answers to the Objections against it And 3. The Motives he laid down to provoke and stir up all Parents to this necessary duty 10. Reasons for the proof of it 1. Every man ought to promote the Glory of God to advance the Kingdom of Christ and to further the Salvation of others as far forth as they are able and have opportunity to it And can we effect these any better way We pray Hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdom come thy will be done Surely the coming of Christs Kingdom into our hearts is one way of his Kingdom 's coming 2. God hath set Parents in Authority over them and they cannot improve it to better purpose This is the most ancient Government Before there was King or Common-wealth there was Parental Government This being most ancient afterwards was the Priest and Prophet God hath laid a command upon Children to obedience in the fifth Commandment Ephes. 6. 1. Only Dignity requires duty improve your authority for God and use it to instruct your Household in the Word of God Do not think you have done till you have done this 3. Even nature it self dictates thus much The Birds and Beasts of the field yea the Sea-monsters take care of their young ones If you do nothing but feed and cloath your Children you do no more than Heathens nay than brute beasts 'T is said of the Ostrich Job 39. 16. that she is hardened against her young ones as though they were not hers And what do ignorant Parents less who are hardened against their own Children who are parts of themselves 4. Children have Souls to be saved or damned therefore some must take care of them and the soul that sinneth must die We see Children die as well as Aged persons In Golgatha there are Skulls of all sorts Yea do but look into the Register of a Parish and you shall see as many young as old have died in it Children may die and what if they die without knowledge in their sins better were it with those Children mentioned 2 Kings 2. 23 24. than these Isa. 27. 11. 2 Thes. 1. 7 8. Thus unchastised Children shall suffer but the Parents shall not go Scot-free If you would have them profit by the publick Ministry you must Catechize them at home To bring them to the publick before they be thus Catechized is setting before them an hard loaf You must give them milk at home that they may be fit for higher truths in publick 5. Your Children are Children of wrath and you have been instruments to conveigh this to them They die and that proves this When your Children are sick you forthwith go to the Physitian and will you take no care of their Souls inheriting their spiritual maladies from you You may say as David to Abiathar 1 Sam. 22. 22. I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy Fathers house 6. What will become of Religion in future Ages if Parents neglect this duty at present If all Parents were as careless as some the Church of God would soon cease on the earth Isa. 38. 19. The Father to the Children shall make known thy truth Psal. 78. 3 4. Which we have heard and known and our Fathers have told us We will not hide them from their Children shewing to the Generation to come the praises of the Lord. If we do not teach our Children how should they teach theirs It was above two thousand years before the Scripture was written how then was piety preserved but by one Generation teaching another Adam taught his Children The sacrificing of Cain and Abel's piety therein were both the fruit of Adam's teaching Noah taught his Children to Abraham and he taught his houshold Isa. 1. 9. Except the Lord of Hosts had left unto us a very small Remnant we should have been as Sodom and we should have been like unto Gomorrah We should have been as Heathenish as Paganish as they 7. God is highly pleased with piety in younger ones The Lord had respect to Abel the younger and Enoch of all the Patriarchs before the Flood the youngest is said to please God How was God pleased with the piety of Samuel and Josiah And we read of Jehojachin that began very young to Reign and did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord 2 Kings 24. 8 9. God takes notice of the evil as well as the good Children might sing Hosanna as well as cry bold-head if they were taught Iesus said Mat. 19. 14. Suffer little Children and forbid them not to come unto me for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven Of such not untaught Children 8. You cannot expect the blessings of the Covenant except yâ—u teach them
not used by them In the Gospels many such cures are wrought without it and so in the Acts by taking by the hand by embracing Chap. 3. 7. and 20. 10. and by Peter's bare word Chap. 9. 34. and so again verse 40. And by Paul's bâ—re word Chap. 14. 10. and 16. 18. and by his touching linnen cloaths Chap. 19. 12. All which different ways of healing the sick do sufficiently evince that the usage of Oyl as a bare ceremony was not instituted by Christ or any way commanded to be continued by the Apostles or their Successors in the Church even while the gift of healing did continue among them 2. Because that anointing with Oyl in the Name of the Lord was never used on any other design than to demonstrate the miraculousness of the work which was wrought without any contribution of natural means and therefore is not now of any propriety or fitness for use when the gift of miraculous healing is ceased in the Church 3. That anointing was designed on purpose for the recovery of the sick whereas Extream Unction if the coineâ—s of Sacraments have not miscalled it must needs be supposed to be used only as a Vâ—and to those that depart out of this world and then only when it is thought certain that they will die Q. 94. What is Baptism A. Baptism is a Sacrament wherein the washing with water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost doth signifie and seal our ingrafting into Christ and partaking of the benefits of the Covenant of Grace and our engagement to be the â—ords Explic. Q. What kind of Ordinance is â—ipism A. It is a Sacrament Q. What is the sacramental Element in Baptism A. Water without mixture Q. What are the sacramental actions A. 1. The Ministers blessing and consecrating the Water 2. The right applying of it to the party to be Baptizâ—d diving or dipping him into it or sprinkling him with it Q. How ought the Minister to bless and consecrate the Water A. 1. By opening to them that are present the Doctrine of Baptism and the right institution and use of it what outward Mysteries are signified and sealed up by that outward sign 2. By acknowledging in the Name of the Congregation Mans natural pollution that we stand in need of spiritual washing by giving thanks to God the Father for giving his Son for a propitiation for our sins and appointing his blood to be a Fountain to the House of Israel to wash in and for ordaining this service to be a Sacrament and Seal of so great a mysterie 3. By making profession of Faith in Gods promises in that behalf and praying that they be made good unto the party that is to receive the Seal thereof For as every thing is sanctâ—fied by the Word of God and Prayer so in especial manner the sacramental water in Bâ—ptism is blessed and consecrated by the Word of Institution and Prayer to God for a blessing upon his own Ordinance Q Is the action of diving or dipping essential to the Sacrament Or is there any ground and warrant for sprinkling which is mostly used with us in these cold Countries A. The action of sprinkling water upon the Face of the Bâ—ptized is very warrantable especially upon young Children in cold Countries to whom diving or dipping might be dangerous Q What ground hath the Church for this practice A. 1. Bâ—cause neither dipping nor sprinkling seem to be essential to Baptism but washing and applying water to the body as a cleanser of the filth thereof Ephes. 5. 26. 2. Because as in the other Sacrament a spoonful of Wine is as significant as a whole Gallon so here a handful of Water as a whole River 3. The action of sprinkling bears fit resemblance with the inward grace as well as dipping and hath Authority in the Scripture of truth Read 1 Pet. 1. 2. Heb. 12. 24. where is speech of the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ and the blood of sprinkling speaking better things than that of Abel 4. It is not unlikely that the Apostles Baptized as well by sprinkling or pouring upon as by diving or dipping into Since we read of divers Baptized in Houses as well as others in Rivers Q. Whose Office is it to Baptize A. None but the lawfully ordained Ministers may Baptize Mat. 28. 19 20. Q. In whose Name are we to be Baptized A. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. What do you mean by Baptizing in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost A. In the Authority and into the Faith Profession and Obedience of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q What is signified sealed and engaged to as to be done on Gods part in Baptism A. Our ingrafting into Christ and partaking of the benefits of the Covenant of Grace Rom. 6. 3. Act. 2. 38 39. Q. What is sealed to on our part in Baptism or what do we engage to A. To be the Lords Rom. 6. 4. Q. Are our ingrafting into Christ partaking of the benefits of the Covenant of Grace and our engagement to be the Lords signified and sealed to in Baptism A. Yes Q. 95. To whom is Baptism is to be administred A. Baptism is not to be administred unto any that are out of the visible Church till they profess their Faith in Christ and obedience to him but the Infants of such as are Members of the visible Church as to be Baptized Explic. Q. To whom is not Baptism 〈◊〉 be administred A. It is not to be administred to any that are out of the visible Church Q What mean you by the visible Church A. The visible Church is a company of people called from all false worships and Religions confessedly to worship the true God according to his Word Q. How long is Baptism to be withheld from them that are out of the visible Church A. Till they profess their Faith in Christ and obedience to him Act. 8. 36 37. Q. Doth Baptism disciple make disciples or members of the visible Church whereof Christ alone is the Head A. Yes Q. But how do you prove that the Infants of such as are member of the visible Church may and ought to be Baptized A. 1. Because to such Infants appertaineth the Covenant and the thing signified 2. Because whole Families were Baptized and there is pregnant probability that there were some Infants among them of those House-holds Acts 16. 14 15 33. Q. But suppose there â— were no Children in those Families how then is it required â—t our hands to Baptize Infants A. Those that plead this plead their own ignorance 1. Because in the Jewish Church this was their custom when Parents came to be Baptized Children came be Baptized also and their whole Family And secondly If there were Children in those Families as that Jewish custom over-ballancing the others groundless
the mouth of the rest prayeth though in a Form of his own present extemporary effusion yet at that time all others present are limited to his conceptions and pray in as stinted a Form as if what the Minister prays were read out of a Book or dictated by his Memory Q. But how do you prove it lawful to use a Set as that signifies a prescribed Form of Prayer A. It is apparent 1. By Christs prescribing one which he would not sure have done if it had not been lawful to have used it being prescribed and so also 2. By the other examples mentioned which are most of them prescriptions 3. By the no Objection against the use of them For sure if it be lawful to use them it is lawful to prescribe them at some time and for some uses for that a thing in it self acknowledged and proved to be lawful should by being commanded by lawful Authority become unlawful is very unreasonable unless lawful Magistrates be the only unlawful things and at other times to use other liberty is not forbidden and so hereby there is not any invasion or Tyranny used upon our Christian liberty 4. By the great benefit that accrues to the Congregation in having discreet well formed Prayers and so not subject to the temâ—rity and impertinences of the sudden effusions and the same still in constant use and so not strange or new to them but such as in which they may with understanding go along with the Minister and by the help of their Memory the most ignorant may carry them away for his private use and generally those that want such helps are by this means afforded them And lastly by the consideration of this one special farther advantage of them viz. that by means of prescribed Liturgies the Unity of Faith and Charity is much preserved Q Well then supposing these Set Forms to be lawful in themselves and lawful to be prescribed whether may any other be used but such A. Yea doubtless For the Church being obeyed in the observance of the prescribed Liturgy in publick permits sometimes and upon special incidental occasions prescribes other Forms in the publick Congregation so it be done prudently and piously and reverently and to Edification and so also in the Family or in visitation of the sick if the particular condition of one or other do require it and in private in the Closet it is not supposed by the Church of England but that every one may ask his own wants in what form of words he shall think fit which that he may do fitly and reverently it will not be amiss for him to acquaint himself with the several addresses to God which the Book of Psalms and other parts of holy Writ and all other helps of devotion will afford him either to use as he finds them fit for the present purpose or by those patterns to direct and prepare himself to do the like Q 100. What doth the Preface of the Lords Prayer teach us A. The Preface of the Lords Prayer which is Our Father which art in Heaven teacheth us to draw near to God with holy reverence and confidence as Children to a Father able and ready to help us and that we should pray with and for others Explic. Q. How many parts are there in the Lords Prayer A. Three the Preface the Petitions and the Conclusion Q. Which is the Preface of the Lords Prayer A. Our Father which art in Heaven Q. How must we draw near to God in Prayer A. As Children to a Father Q. Hâ—w is that A. With reverence and confidence Q. Must we come to God with all holy reverence and confidence because he is our heavenly Father A. Yes Q. What encouragement have we so to do A. Because he is able and ready to help us as a Father his Children Q. In what words are his readiness and ability implied A. His readiness in these words Our Father his ability in these which art in Heaven Q. Why do you say Our Father and not my Father A. Because we ought not only to pray by our selves and for our selves but with and for others Q. Must we pray for all A. Yes excepting those that have sinned the sin unto death Q. Must we pray for our enemies A. Yes Q. Whom must we pray for especially A. For the Church of God Q. And whom must we pray for more particularly A. For Magistrates and Ministers 1 Tim. 2. 1. 2 Thes. 3. 1. Heb. 13. 18. Col. 4. 3. Ephes. 6. 18 19. Q. May we not pray for those who are yet unborn A. Yes Q. But may we pray for those that are dead and departed out of this life A. No. Q. Why so A. 1. Because we find not any command or example in the Scripture that Prayers are to be made for souls departed but have the example of David that man after Gods own heart against it 2. The souls of the righteous in Heaven stand in no need of our Prayers and the souls of the wicked in Hell can receive no good by them or by the pretended sacrifice of the Mass. Q. But where are those souls pretended to be that are thought by the Papists to be profited by their Prayers and their sacrifice of the Mass A. In Purgatory Q. If then there be no Purgatory do not the Papists themselves grant it us that there are no Prayers to be made for the Dead A. Yes Q. What souls do the Papists tell us must go to Purgatory A. They tell us that the souls of the impenitent do not go to Purgatory but to Hell nor the souls of all Believers but of some only viz. of those that did not fully satisfie for their sins in this life Q. What kind of place do they imagine Purgatory to be A. A place of great pain where the fore-mentioned souls are tormented till they satisfie Gods Justice and then being purged fully from sin they are to be received up into Heaven Q. What difference do they make betwixt Hell and Purgatory A. They say in Purgatory the fore-mentioned souls suffer the vengeance of a temporary fire but in Hell impenitent Unbelievers suffer the vengeance of eternal fire Q The Papists profess to believe with us That the blood of Iesus Christ purgeth and cleanseth us from all our sins Why then have they inventâ—d the fire of Purgatory If all sins are washed away and purged by the blood of Christ what then remains to be purged in this imaginary fire A. They mock the world in calling it Purgatory for according to the Romish Doctrine it serves not to purge but to punish souls and to satisfie Gods Justice so that it is not a purging but a pain and a punishment Q But can the sufferings of the fore-mentioned Believers in Purgatory satisfie Gods offended Iustice so that by the help of the Prayers of the living and the sacrifice of the Mass they shall be delivered thence and accounted worthy to be